Floral accessory



Dec. 11, 1945. c. H. WALKER v FLORAL ACCESSORY Filed July 1, 1944 INVENTOR I CLAENCE.H.M ALKR.

ATTORN E) Patented Dec. 11, 1945 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to floral accessories and more particularly to floral stem andcalyx replacements.

Among the objects of the invention is to reinforce the stems and embellish floral corsages and bouquets.

Another object is to facilitate the joining together of a plurality of stems in a bouquet.

[A further object is to facilitate the addition of a rosette background to a corsage or boutonniere.

Other objects and advantages will appear as th description proceeds.

In the specification and drawing the invention is disclosed in its preferred form. But it is to be understood that it is not limited to this form, be'

cause it may be embodied in modifications within the purview of the claims following the descripion.

In the one sheet of drawings Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of an artificial stem and calyx portion for a flower, constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the rosette disk.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 1, of a modification thereof.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view from above, diagrammatically illustrating the manner of assembling a rosette in accordance with Figs. 2, 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view from below of a corsage assembled in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 6 is an edge View of a metal disc substitute for Fig. 2.

It has been the practice heretofor to reinforce the stems of flowers by penetrating the calyx of the flower transversely with a piece of annealed wire. Then twisting the extended end portions of the wire around each other and the stem of the flower. Then hiding the wire and stem with an ornamental wrapping of metal foil, adhesive Gel-- lophane or the like.

It has been a further practice to form a background or rosette of leaves stapled to a disc of cardboard having a central opening surrounding the wired calyx and extending beyond the perimeter of the flower.

This former practice is destructive to the calyx by the penetrating wire, which promotes increased evaporation and consequent earlier withering of the flower blossom. It is also a tedious, skilled and costly procedure.

By the application of this invention the foliateous portion of the calyx can be removed and the naturally joined ends of the flower petals inserted into a rubber socket having an integral wired stem, without disrupting the petal assemreservoirs for water, to prolong the life of the For identification, the calyx is that portion of a floral blossom surrounding the immature bud and the naturally joined inner ends of the petals, at the juncture of the petals with the stem. In the practice of this invention this outer calyx may be removed or not, according to its ornamental value.

In detail the structure shown in Fig. 1, comprises the tubular socket I, preferably formed of a soft elastic compound such as vulcanized rubber or a similar plastic composition. The socket tapers into the integral tubular stem 2, reinforced by the enclosed length of wire 3.

To give stability to the inner calyx within the socket I, the upper end of the wire 3 may project into the socket as at 4, if desirable. For ornamentation the compound of the portions I, 2 may be colored green or any other desirable tint.

It isdesirable but not essential, that the top of the socket I be slightly constricted as at 5. The base of the blossom where the petals join is usually of slightly greater diameter than the combined mass of the petal inner ends. When this base is forced into the top of the socket at 5, this stricture 5 yields resiliently then contracts slightly to frictionally and mechanically lock the base petals within the socket. If the wire end 4 is present it penetrates the base longitudinally and gives stability to the assembly.

The stem 2 thereafter serves instead of the natural stem of the blossom, with the additional advantage that the soft, annealed, florists wire 3 will retain any contour into which it may be bent by the wearer. The socket and stem I, 2, are an artificial substitute for the natural calyx and stem of the flower and they function as such for all practical purposes. The socket I may be shaped to imitate the natural calyx of the type of flower to which it is applied.

In Fig. 3, the structure is substantially the same as described, except that the socket l is more blunt at 6 where it joins the stem 2. The top of the socket has the integral annular flange I surrounding the strictured opening 5. The top of this flange is coated with a tacky adhesive 8 such as used on surgical adhesive plaster.

The rosette disk 9 is composed of an elastic rubber-like compound, with a central opening l0, registering with the opening 5. The lower face of this disk is also coated with the adhesive sub-' stance above described, see Figs. 2, 3.

The rosette is composed of four or more leaves from the foliage of the blossom to be embellished, or any other form of background desired for the blossom. 'The rosette is assembled by taking two transversely severed leaves such as H, l2, and pressing their back surfaces against the adhesive top 8 of the flange l, as'in Fig. 4. The severed ends of these leaves are preferably arranged on the diameter of the disk 9, and slightly separated on the opposite sides of the opening 5, leaving the exposed area 8' of the adhesive 8.

The complementary leaves l3, M are similarly arranged on the adhesive side I5 of the disk 9. In this instance the faces of the leaves are applied to the adhesive. This disk 9 is then superimposed upon the flange 1, so that the center portion of the leaves lie within the spaces at 8' and adhere thereto. This completes the assembly of the rosette on the flange i, see interrupted lines in Fig. 4.

The calyx ll of the blossom I6 is then forced downwardly through the center opening It] in the disk 9, through the stricture 5 and into the socket lyuntil'the calyx is penetrated longitudinally by the wire end 4. This completes the assembly of the corsage, as in Fig. 5.

-When it is desired to combine a number'of blossoms into a corsage or bouquet, the wired stems, such as 2, can be twisted together spirally without the usual tying or external wiring, the unsightliness of which must be concealed with metal foil or the like, as described.

In packing, before use, the disk 9 and flange may be attached together by their respective adhesive surfaces 8, I5 and peeled apart for use as described. Or these'adhesive surfaces may be protected by a layer of Holland Cloth, which is a glazed airtight fabric used in protecting inner tube patches, and vulcanizing sheets, as used in rubber tire and other practices. This cloth protects the adhesive surface while in stock, and is removed at the time of application of the coated article.

The modified rosette disk 911:, shown in Fig. 6, consists of a round disk of thin metal, having four or more upwardly directed prongs such as 8:11, and the downwardly directed prongs such as I593.

These prongs are pierced and bent outwardly from their respective planes of the disk. The lower prongs l 5a: are clinched through the flange I and secure the disk 9x firmly thereto. The upper prongs l5x are clinched through their respective leaves I 1-44. These upper and lower prongs are equivalent means for the adhesive surfaces 8,'

the same 7 a flange projecting laterally therefrom and an elongated stem, and composed of elastic material; and a rosette disk attached to said flange and having prongs projecting therefrom.

3. A- floral accessory comprising'a sockethav ing aflange projecting laterally from the opening thereof, and an elongated stem, and composed of elastic material; and a rosette attached to said flange. V

4. A floral corsage comprising a socket having a flange projecting late-rally from the opening thereof, an elongated. stem, and composed of elastic material; a rosette of natural foliageattached to said flange; and -a natural flower inserted into said socket.

5. A floral corsage comprising a socket having a flange projecting laterally from the opening thereof, and an elongated stem and composed of elastic material; a rosette disk'attached to said flange and having prongs projecting therefrom; a rosette of natural foliage attached to said prongs; and a natural flower inserted into said socket;

6. A floral corsage comprising a socket having a flange projecting laterally-therefrom and an elongated stem composed of elastic material; an adhesive coating on the top of said flange; a rosette disk having an under coating of adhesive; and a rosette of foliage arranged in separated'relation on said flange and disk, so that theseparated spaces between said foliage permit'the adhesive on said flange and disk to meetwhen they are pressed together.

CLARENCE H. WALKER. 

